School Science Shows
These are the core events provided by NISEP. Carried out at our partner schools, the secondary students are trained by NISEP staff and university student volunteers in how to demonstrate hands-on science activities to primary, year 7, and special education students as well as their peers, parents/carers and community members. NISEP runs its School Science Shows annually so as to work with our student leaders over a number of years.
“When you’re a participant you look up to the older kids and especially if they’re indigenous it pushes you to go bigger and brighter and basically reach for the sky. Yeah, and it’s very valuable to see our people get up there and not be shame and present themselves in a way that is good.” Student, Casino High
“This event was very valuable to me in terms of boosting my self-confidence and being leader, learning to take control and be responsible with other students, showing them how to do certain things. It was a good experience.” Student, Maclean High
Indigenous Science Experience @ Redfern, National Science Week (Aug 16-20th, 2017)
Hosted by the Redfern Community Centre, this event highlights the significance of Indigenous scientific knowledge. Indigenous student leaders and Elders from NISEP partner communities showcase Indigenous science activities to a wide audience. The event includes three days of the Indigenous students showing fun science activities to primary school students and our Family Science Fun Day, which is open to the public. This event incorporates a broad range of Indigenous and Western science activities presented by NISEP collaborators.
Past activity providers have included: Yaegl Elders, Wiradjuri Elders, The Australian museum, Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Office of Environment and Heritage, Stone and Bones, Fizzics Education, Neural Knitworks, Birdlife Australia, Modfab 3D Printing, Numeracy Centre Macquarie University, Department of Physics and Astronomy Macquarie University, Department of Chiropractic, Clinics and Research Centres Macquarie University, Indigenous Bioresources Research Group of Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Sciences Macquarie University.
We’d like to thank the Redfern Community Centre, Inspiring Australia and the City of Sydney for their financial and in-kind support over the last 5 years of this event.
“It’s always good to see Indigenous people from the community come in and see our kids in this generation getting up to good things and not bad things. So I guess in a way it puts us in a position where we can actually see the right from the wrong, and put us in a place where we can do good stuff and we actually enjoy what we’re doing.” Student, Casino High
“I think showcasing [Indigenous science] to people in the community can open people’s eyes to what different sciences there are… you’ve also got the different things as well which people wouldn’t traditionally associate with sciences, but it is just as valid as any other.” Student, Casino High
“Before I didn’t have much idea of what my culture was like but since coming to this my eyes have been opened and I’ve become more aware of my culture and the way it is and the way it was… it’s opened my eyes.” Student, Casino High
ConocoPhillips Macquarie University Science Experience (Jan 11-13, 2017)
This event offers 60 year 9 and 10 students three days of experiments, demonstrations and talks, covering a range of science and technology disciplines. The program also provides information about further studies and career opportunities in science, technology and engineering. NISEP runs this event and supports students from our partner schools to attend as participants or as group leaders who take the other students through the science activities. This event provides an opportunity for Indigenous youth to familiarise themselves with a university campus, meet and make friends with young people from all over NSW, and gain leadership skills and experience.
If you are in year 9/10 and would like more information on or to participate in this event, please visit:
http://www.scienceexperience.com.au/when-where/new-south-wales/macquarie-university-sydney
“It was good to see different careers that you could choose for science. When we were younger we thought it was just one cemented idea but we found out there’s a lot of different pathways that you could take.” Student, Mt Austin High
Macquarie University Open Day (Aug 19, 2017)
NISEP supports a number of senior Indigenous students from our partner schools to attend the Macquarie University Open Day. The students stay at one of the university colleges and are fully immersed into experiencing what university life is like.
“Now that I’m getting into senior schooling, looking at places to go for university and courses I want to study, it’s invaluable information. I still don’t have a perfect idea of what I want to do when I finish school, but things like that open day really help… It shows you options and shows you even that it is possible as well when you see other students from similar circumstance come and do good things [at university]” Student, Casino High
Youth Eco Summit (YES), event run by Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) (July 2017)
YES is an annual curriculum-based sustainability festival filled with engaging workshops and interactive displays. Run over 2 days, primary and secondary students can participate in a range of different practicals, seminars and demonstrations regarding science and sustainability. NISEP provides science expo activities that are delivered by its partner school student leaders. YES provides an opportunity for our student leaders to showcase science to wider Sydney based school groups.
We highly recommend your school getting involved in this fantastic event:
http://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/education_and_learning/partnerships/YES
“You go around and you see the different aspects of life and what people really love to do [at YES] and it always gives you like an open eye of bigger and better chances to go out and succeed… Going to one of those days you really take note of how many different job opportunities there are. It is valuable, because you get to meet people and get to learn about their background… it’s heaps good because like in a way it gives you confidence to go out and speak to people.” Student, Casino High
River of Learning, Maclean (Yaegl) Cultural Immersion Program
This event was developed by Yaegl Elders and Maclean High School staff as an extension of NISEP to better incorporate cultural learning into the school. This event is a celebration of Indigenous culture and highlights the achievements of Indigenous youth. Local Elders take year 7 students onto country to teach them about bush medicines and cultural practices. Indigenous knowledge is then taught throughout the students’ classes and their achievements showcased at a community open day.
Chifley College Gifted and Talented Program
These events target students in years 9 and 10 from Chifley Colleges. Two days are held each year, the first at one of the Chifley College senior campuses and the second at Macquarie University. These events promote science as an option for senior secondary and tertiary level study and include activities across microbiology, engineering, physics, chemistry and Indigenous science.
